The Governor and Mrs Dawson with Community Kitchen volunteers and attendees
The Governor and Mrs Dawson with Community Kitchen volunteers and attendees.

The Ord River Scheme, Community Kitchen and Art in the Park

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The Governor and Mrs Dawson started the day on a guided tour and briefing on the Ord River Scheme.

Led by Ms Jo-Anne Ellis and Mrs Eamonn McCabe from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the briefing included stops at Lake Kununurra Diversion Dam, Ivanhoe Crossing and across the border into the Northern Territory to the Keep River Bridge. 

Ms Ellis and Mr McCabe shared an update on how the department is working to grow the north into a resilient and productive agricultural region and the proposed Cotton Gin which will make the process more sustainable.

Eamonn McCabe provides a briefing on the Lake Kununurra Dam.
Ivanhoe Crossing
Jo-Anne Ellis and Eamonn McCabe with the Governor and Mrs Dawson at the Northern Territory Border

Kununurra Police Station

The afternoon started with a visit to the local Kununurra Police Station to acknowledge the hard work being done by local officers.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson with Officer in Charge Neil Van Der Plank and Inspector Peter Jenal.

Community Kitchen

The Kununurra Community Kitchen has run every Sunday of the year since 2016. It provides meals to approximately 100 people each week who live locally or are visiting Kununurra and provides essential relief including blankets, hygiene products, clothing and other donated items that are received.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson spoke with Mandy Milburn who coordinates the operation and the volunteers who donate their time each week, thanking them sincerely for their efforts.

Volunteering is a key priority for the Governor and Mrs Dawson and it’s community led organisations such as this that they want to stop and thank, as well as encourage the community to get involved and to continue to support these vital community services wherever possible.

Mrs Dawson speaks with Volunteers at the Kununurra Community Kitchen
The Governor speaks with Mandy Milburn, Treasurer of the Kununurra Community Garden Kitchen
Volunteers get busy in the community kitchen.
A volunteer prepares beef stew to serve at the evenings community kitchen.

Art in the Park

A visual feast for the eyes, the open air exhibition is curated exclusively for the Ord Valley Muster.

Art, photography, fashion and culture brought the space to life, allowing visitors to learn more about the abundance of talent within this beautiful region.

The event included a fashion show by Waringarri Arts Centre with textiles showcasing the beautiful art of the region followed by a performance by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse.

A fashion show presented by the Waringarri Arts Centre.
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse entertain attendees at Art in the Park.
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